Feed-water-heating apparatus



T. C. McBRlDE.

FEED WATER HEATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 27,1918.

1,350,322, Patented Aug; 24,1920.

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a, ids 421 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

l THOMAS C. MGBRIDE, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR '10 WORTH- INGTON PUMP AND MACHINERY CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA.

rnnn-wnrnn-nna'rmc APPARATUS.

T0 aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS C. MCBRIDE, a citizen of theIUnited States, residing at Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFeed- Water-Heating Apparatus, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to feed water heating apparatus, and especially to systems of that class in which the cold water supply pump and the hot feed water pump are connected so as to operate in unison and the varying excess of water due to steam condensation is returned to the cold water supply, such systems being described and claimed in my prior United States Letters Patent numbered 731064 and 731065, dated June 16, 1903.

The especial object of the present invention is to provide an improved feed water heating system of this class, adapted especially for locomotives and which shall be efficient and durable under the exacting conditions of such use, and further to provide a construction in which the feed water heater, with its pumps and their power cylinder, shall be combined in a single small unit suitable for convenient attachment to and support by the side of the locomotive boiler.

For a full understanding of the invention, a detailed description of a locomotive feed water heating system embodying all the features of the invention in their preferred form,will now be given in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and the features forming the invention then specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the complete unit.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of'the same, showing the attachment to the locomotive boiler;

Figs. 3 and 4 are cross sections on, respectively the lines 3-3 and 4-4 of Fig. 1, and

' Fig. 5'is a detail section on the line 55 of Fi 3."

Referring to the drawings, A is the heat Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 24, 1920.

Application filed m 27, 1918. Serial no. 246,960.

exchange chamber or heater proper receiving the steam and cold water, B the bucket tank below it to which the water passes from chamber A for bucket control of the return flow, and C the storage' tank for the hot pump to which the water asses by overfiow from tank B, the chem ers' A and B with their passages being shown as formed in a single casting with the usual separate head, and chamber C being attached thereto, but this construction may be varied and a single casting for all the chambers, used in small units. At one side of this casting and secured thereto, so as to form a single unit therewith, are the cold water su plypump D and hot feed water pump E arranged in'line vertically and operated b a single direct-acting steam cylinder which is shown as of a common type and mounted on supports from the pump D and attached to the side of the feed water heater casting. The whole feed water system, therefore, in the preferred form shown, forms, apart from the external piping, a single, compact unit, which is conveniently attached to and sup orted by the side of the locomotive boiler by brackets 10, four such brackets being shown, two on the heater casting and two on the pump portion of the unit. i. will be understood, however, that the broader features of the invention may be embodied in a construction in which the pump and heater are not formed or connected into a single unit. The chamber A receives the steam from steam pipe 11 through the usual check valve 12 and chamber port 13, theentering steam being distributed around the chamber by a bafiie 14, and the cold water enters chamber A above port 13 and baflle 14 through a port controlled by the usual spring-closed spray valve 15, by'which the water is sprayed into the steam, this cold water port connecting by passage 16, preferably and especially in small units, cast in the chamber casting and head, directly with the force chamber of pump D. Upon this passage 16 is provided an air chamber 17, which preferably, and esthrough the tube. In the construction shown, the tube 14 is formed so as to somewhat delay the passage of water through it and secure a fuller heating of the water, especially when operating at full capacity, this result being secured by the contraction or inward bend 31, this bend also allowing more area for the steam to pass around the tube as it entersthe chamber A. The chamber and baflle construction shown'is simple and efficient, but other arrangements maybe used.

- for the steam admission and distribution.

The support 30, as shown, forms a partition in chamber A that prevents the steam from passing directly'down ward as it enters, but

preferably the partition is provided with a number of small holes 9, to permit steam to pass slowly below the partition 30. This 'aids in heating the water and is especially desirable when running at low capacity. A number of holes may be used and more or less holes plugged up to adjust this steam flow for best results in accordance with the working conditions. These holes also drain off any water collecting on the partition. The air is taken off through a passage 32 from below the partition 30, so as to discharge any air collecting in the heater and prevent its becoming air bound, and this air escape is preferably carried to the top of the heater well above any possible water level. As shown, this air escape also provides for escape of steam or water to avoid danger from accidental over-pressure in chamber A. The usual safety and air escape valve 18, is shown in pipe 19, which connects at the top of the heater with air escape passage 32, preferably formed in the chamber A casting and opening below the partition 30.

The water level in the heater and delivery of excess water is controlled by a bucket and, in the preferred construction shown, the tank B- contains the controlling bucket b which is closed at the bottom and provided at the top with openings 1 for admission of water. This bucket slides upon a fixed vertical rod or stem 20, which also forms an abutment for the spring of valve 15, and is held firmly in central position by the hub carried by spokes in baffle 14, and this stem at its lower end is enlarged, made hollow and provided with side ports 2, controlled by the bucket sliding on the stem, these ports connecting through central port 3 with passage 21 through which the excess water returns directly to the supply pump D, this passage preferably being formed in the heater casting, as shown, and

having extending upward from it and preferably formed in the casting, an air chamber 22. This air chamber has the same functions as air chamber 17, but also a special function in the construction shown, in which the suction of pump D from passage 21 is single-acting, as the air, chamber provides for a more continuous flow from the bucket control ports 2, 3, thus enabling a smaller stem and ports and a smaller bucket to be used. The water from chamber A enters the tank B through a circular port around the central horizontal bafile 4 mounted on stem 20, so that the water does not fall into openings 1 of the bucket, or passage 24, hereafter described, but between the bucket and passage, so as to fill the tank to normal level without filling the bucket or dischar ing through passage 24. The tank is thus lled immediately on starting operation, and remains filled thereafter, which is important for the proper functioning of the bucket.

The storage'tank C receives the feed water from tank B by overflowing through passage 24, preferably cored in both side walls of the tank D, as shown in Fig. 4, the normal level of the water in the tank being about as indicated in Fig. 1. Storage tank C connects with the feed water pump E directly thriugh passage 25 at the bottom of the tan The pumps D, E are shown as double-acting pumps of a common type, having their pistons d, e carried by the rod 26 operated from steam cylinder F, and having the usual suction valves 5 and force valves 6. The suction chamber of pump D is supplied with cold water through pipe 27 and the discharge chamber of pump E delivers to the boiler through pipe 28.

A feature of the construction, which is important for simplicity and compactness, consists in the direct flow of the excess water from passage 21 to the pump D through a special suction valve or valves 7, which may be made to yield under as light pressure desired, a-single valve operating on only one stroke of the double acting pump being shown, such valve or valves admitting this excess water to the pulsation chamber of the pump D for discharge with the cold water, but the excess water not entering the reg.- ular suction chamber of pump D, but being separated therefrom by partition 8. This arrangement is particularly convenient in that the relative strength of the springs on the special suction valve or valves 7 and the suction valves 5 can be so arranged that the relative amount of water entering the pump through the valve or valves 7 and the other valves 5 can be roughly adjusted to the proper amount, subject to the final adjustment by the bucket, this adjustment by the valves depending on the relative level of the water in the heater and the level of that through passage tice very the supply water. Thiso in the suppg pipe 27. ther convenient. means for. re-

turning the excess water to the supply pump,

within the but the to the supply pump and the regulation of the cold water supply to the pump. 1

The operation ofthe construction W11]. be understood from the drawings and above description, with a brief statement: The cold water and steam enter chamber A and the tube formed by bafiie 14, where the steam is condensed, and the heated water passes thence around battle 4 into tank B so as to fill the latter at once and float bucket b-upward to close ports 2. When the tank B is filled to normal level, the water overflows 24 to storage tank C and is delivered therefrom to the boiler at the proper rate of pump E. Tins operation is maintained by supply pump D and pump E so long as the amount of steam remains sub-v stantially constant. On an lncrease of steam and consequent water of condensation, the water flows into tank B faster than withdrawn by pump E, rises in tank C, fills the passage 24 and overflows into the bucket ports 1 to fill the bucket. When the bucket is overweighted by this water, the bucket falls on stem 20', opens side ports 2 to port 3 and passage 21 and the excess water passes through suction valve or valves 7 to the pump and is returned to the chamber A with eration continues until the water in tank falls again and bucket b is emptied through ports 2 sufficiently for flotation, when the bucket again rises to the position shown in Fi 1 to close ports 2 for normal operation. he supply pump and feed water pump are proportioned so as to keep the feed water pump cylinder full and the bucket tank filled to normal level, so that the bucket controls only the variable excess from steam condensation. 7

It will be seen that the invention provides a very simple, compact and eflicient feed water heating system, excellently adapted for the special conditions of locomotive use.

The bucket control of the variable excess orreturn water and its firm and positive support and guiding, are especially important in locomotive use, on account of the vibration, which makes the use of an ordinary valve, and especially of a float ,controlled valve, very unsatisfactory.

While the invention is especially applicable to locomotive feed water heating systems, and has been shown asthus applied, it will be understood that the invention is reaching the pump through the pump or inde- Y has been found in pracdesirable in securing'the proper-jreturn of the variable excess of heater water emptyingand raising of the bucket applicable also in connection with otherjeed It will be underwater heatin systems. stood, also, t at the invention is not to be limited to the special construction or arrangement of, arts shown, but that these ma be modifie widely within'the-invention de ned by the claims; What is claimedis:

1. In feed water heating a paratus, the combination with the steam an water chamber, of a bucket having openings for the flow of water into the bucket on excessive flow through theiheater and ports controlled by the bucket for de ivering water from theheater on the lowering of the filled bucket and closingthe ports to stop the flow on, he

n feed water heating a paratus, the

ber, from said chamber, having openings for the flow of water into the bucket in case of an excess of waterin the heater; and ports controlled 'bj" the bucket for'delivering water from the eater on the lowering of the filled bucket and closing the ports to stop the flow on thej e'mptying and-raising of the bucket. v v

3. In feed water heating apparatus, the combination with the steam and water chamber, of a, bucket tank receiving the water from said chamber, a bucket in said tank havingopenings for the flow of water into the bucket in case of an excess of water in the heater, ports controlled by the bucket for delivering lowering of the filled bucket and closing the portsto stop the flow on the emptying and raising of the bucket,- a passage to the cold water from the heater on the combination with the steam an water chamof a bucket tank receiving the water;

a bucket in said tank,

water supply connecting with said ports, andgfl a passage for overflow from the tank connecting with the feed water delivery.

,' 4. In feed water heating a paratus, the

' the feed water heater.

,5: In feed water heating apparatus, the

combinationwith the steam and water chamber, of a bucket tank receiving the water from said chamber, a bucket in said tank having openings for the flow of water into the bucket in case of an excess of water in the heater, ports controlled by the bucket for delivering water from the heater on the lowering of the filled bucket and closing the ports to stop the flow on the emptying and raising of the bucket, a passage to the cold water supply connecting with said ports, a feed water tank below the bucket tank, and a passage for overflow of water from the bucket tank to the feed water tank.

6. In feed water heating apparatus, in

combination, a bucket tank receiving theheater water, a central fixed stem extending through the tank and having side ports therein, a bucket sliding on said stem and mounted to control said ports for the escape of water from the bucket on the filling and lowering of the bucket and to close said ports on the emptying'and raising of the bucket, and openings in the upper part of the bucket for the flow of water into the bucket in case of an excess of water in the heater.

7. In feed water heating apparatus, in combination, a steam and water chamber, a bucket tank below the chamber, a central fixed stemextending through the tank and h'aving side ports therein, a bucket sliding on said stem and mounted to control said ports for the escape of water from the bucket on the filling and lowering of the bucket and to close said ports on the emptyin and raising of the bucket, openings in the upper part of the bucket for the flow of water into the bucket in case of an excess of water in the heater, and a baflle above the bucket for directing the Water to the tank without filling the bucket.

8. A feed water heater having a bucket floated by the water passing through the heater and adapted to be filled on excessive heater flow, and ports for the delivery of excess water from the heater separately from the feed water and controlled by the raising and falling of the bucket.

9. A feed water heater having ports for the delivery of excess water from the heater separately from the feed water, and a bucket receiving heater water and controlling said ports.

10. A feed water heater having ports for the delivery of excess water from the heater separately from the feed water, a tank, and

a bucket in said tank receiving heater water and controlling said ports by the raising and lowering of the bucket in the tank.

11. A feed water heater having a tank receiving the water entering the heater, a float device in said tank for regulating the water level in the heater, and a feed water delivery, to which the feed water passes only when said tank is filled to such a level as to float said device.

12. In feed water heating apparatus, the combination with supply and. feed water pumps operating in unison for the delivery of a fixed quantity of water to and from the heater, of an excess Water passage from the heater direct to the supply pump, and a nonreturn valve or valves controlling the inlet of said excess water to the'pulsation chamher of the pump separately from the supply passage from the heater to the pump, and

a non-return valve controlling the inlet of said excess water to the pulsation chamber of the pump independently of the supply of water from an outside source.

14. In feed water heating apparatus, the combination with a supply pump for the delivery of water to the heater, of an excess Water passage from the heater to the supply pump, and independent valves controlling the inlet of said excess Water and the supply water to the pulsation chamber of the pump whereby the Water entering the pump from the two sources may be regulated by the action of the valves.

15. A feed water heater including a steam and water chamber, and a feed water tank arranged vertically and combined together into a single rigid structure, and supply and feed water pumps with their motor cylinder rigidly attached to the side of the feed water heater, with the passages connecting the pumps and heater formed in the pump and heater castings. I

16. A feed water heater including a steam and water chamber, and a feed water tank arranged vertically and combined together into a single rigid structure, and supply and feed water pumps with their motor cylinder rigidly attached to the side of the feed water heater, and means for attachment to and support by the side of a locomotive boiler.

17. A feed water heater having a steam and water chamber, a supply pump, a passage connecting the supply pump with said chamber, a passa e for the discharge of water separately rom the feed water, and an air chamber on each of said passages.

18. A feed water heater having supply and feed water pumps operating in unison, an excess water passage connecting the heater with the supply pump for the return of excess water, and an air chamber on said passage.

19. A feed water heater having supply and feed water pumps operating in un1son, an excess water passage connecting the heater with the supply pump for the return of excess water, and an air chamber on said passage, said supply pump being singleacting in the receipt of water from the excess water passage.

20. A feed water heater having a passage for the discharge of water separately from the feed water and an air chamber on said passage, said passage and air chamber-being formed integral with the heater casting.

21. A feed water heater having a supply water passage and a passage for the discharge of water separately from the feed water, and an air chamber on each of said passages, said passages and air chambers being formed integral with the heater casting.

22. A feed water heater chamber A receiving steam and water, bucket tank B below said chamber having bucket I), provided with overflow openings 1 for flow of heater water into the bucket, baffle 4 between the chambers, and bucket guiding stem 20 having side ports 2 opened and closed by the bucket.

23. A feed water heater having chamber A receiving steam and water, bucket tank B below said chamber having bucket Z), pro vided with overflow openings 1 for flow of heater Water into the bucket, overflowpassage 24 for delivery of feed water from the tank, bafile 4 between the chambers preventing flow from chamber A into openings 1 or passage 24, and ports controlled by the bucket for the discharge of excess water from the heater separately from the feed Water.

24, A feed water heater having chamber A receiving steam and water, bucket tank B below said chamber having bucket b, provided with overflow openings 1 for flow of heater Water into the bucket, baflle 4 between the chambers, bucket guiding stem 20, having side ports 2 opened and closed by the bucket, passage 21 with which ports 2 connect, and an air chamber 22 on said passage.

25. A feed water heater having chamber A receiving steam and water, vertical tube 14 forming a bafile by which the steam is distributed and through which tube the steam and water pass downward, partition 30 surrounding said tube, small passages 9 permitting steam to pass through the partition, and an air take-off below the partition.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my. hand.

THOMAS C. MCBRIDE.

Witness SAMUEL J. FISHER. 

